The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 174

Because the carriage was rather large, it barely shook.

Inside, there was a sofa that was made of soft cotton. In the center was a wooden table with a fancy design on it.

Gorgeous lace decorations hung from the ceilings as fancy golden patterns were spread across the walls… In the carriage, which a regular person would not be able to ride even once in their entire lifetime, Princess Penia and Lucy Mayreel sat across from each other.

Lucy rested her head on the table, her arms sprawled out. She was looking at the scenery outside lazily as Princess Penia stared down at Lucy.

While attending Silvenia Academy, she heard rumors about Lucy Mayreel and what people thought of her.

When she was a child, she grew up as a hidden genius in the Lamelin Mountain Range. Only after she came to Silvenia Academy on Acken Island did her talents begin to be shown to the world.

During the break, she had a lot of fun giving the Imperial family a hard time.

Had she not been the hero who got rid of the evil god Mebula alone, she would have already been imprisoned in the dungeons. However, her achievements and skills were so enormous that they couldn’t treat her rudely… She was like a villain that they couldn’t lay their hands on.

“…I’m hungry.”

Thinking about the hard time the girl gave the imperial household, Princess Penia let out a sigh.

Whether or not Lucy realized what Penia was feeling, she continued to stare at her with empty eyes while muttering about how hungry she was.

“There was no reason for you to make such a fuss back there, Lucy Mayreel. If you had just spoken to them politely, you may have been able to persuade them.”

“They don’t even listen to you, so why would they listen to me?”

Lucy’s careless and disrespectful attitude when talking to a princess of the country made the nearby servants swallow their dry saliva.

However, Lucy herself continued speaking as if she didn’t care.

“I’m not good at solving things with my words.”

What a truly terrifying statement.

Princess Penia took a deep breath, deciding not to talk about it any further. She looked out the window on the opposite side as she looked at the soldiers that were escorting them back to the school.

“……”

How much longer until they reached Acken Island? For Princess Penia, who didn’t have a good sense of distance, the trip felt like an endless wait.

Because Lucy caused such a fuss in the imperial household, the eyes of everyone in the household had been drawn to Ed Rothstaylor, whom Lucy was openly defending.

Regardless of that, the fact that he was a surviving member of House Rothstaylor made him special. Because the hero of the country was openly trying to protect him… Naturally, people became curious about him.

Selah and Persica’s gaze also felt rather strange, making Princess Penia become even more concerned.

“Hmm…”

Suddenly, as she looked out the window, she felt a strange sense of incongruity. They were going the same way back to school as usual, so there shouldn’t have been anything all that strange.

She recognized all of the faces of the soldiers as well. The guards moving forward as they guarded both sides of the wagon, neatly lined up, were the same as the ones she had seen since she was a child.

But… the number of them was rather large.

“There are more soldiers on the way back than I expected this time… It’s not like there was an incident that warranted it, so…?”

House Rothstaylor’s deeds were a catastrophe, but to some extent, that matter had already been concluded. All that was left was to deal with the aftermath.

Protocols are important, but it isn’t good to waste members of the imperial escort forces. From now on, I should instruct them that it is okay to hold back more when they are escorting me back to school.

With that thought in mind, Princess Penia looked up at the blue sky from the carriage.

Occasionally, only the sound of Lucy talking in her sleep quietly was heard inside.

* * *

By the time she came to her senses, the first thing she felt was pressure around her wrists.

Lortel recalled her last memory through her hazy return to consciousness. The appearance of Dune ignoring her instructions and glaring back at her with his eyes wide open.

She didn’t remember anything after that.

Was she attacked? Did she lose her consciousness to magic? Or did she faint from fatigue?

There wasn’t any hint to figure that out. That was how clean and neatly the deed was done.

However, she soon realized what happened when she felt a strong pain rise from the back of her head.

Dune had been ignoring Lortel’s orders with his eyes wide open to distract her as he waited for someone inside the room to attack her.

The location had not changed. It was still Lortel’s private office.

As it was a place that Lortel felt relatively safe in, it was the best place for a surprise attack.

As soon as her vision returned, Lortel immediately judged the situation.

Her body wasn’t free. Both of her hands were tied behind the chair.

The scent that lingered on the tip of her nose was chestnut flower-scented candles. This item was famous as a means to temporarily subdue a magician by twisting the flow of magic power.

However, it was extremely expensive. It cost dozens of gold coins just for a little bit, and it wasn’t a product that was easy to obtain. And to obtain the effect of having that smell be maintained for an extended period of time… That wasn’t easy.

Since he bought and used something like that, it seemed that he had been planning the attack for quite some time.

“You’re doing something that doesn’t suit you, Dune.”

Lortel looked across the table as she spoke in a low voice.

A man sat in a chair with his head lowered. He wore a decently large beret, looked rather slender, and wore a red fleece vest with a pure white shirt and leather pants… Just looking at his appearance made it clear that he was a merchant.

“While I was busy in Oldek, you were setting up a rather interesting stage.”

“I’m sorry for tying you up. I don’t have the best manners when it comes to setting a stage.”

“Being a deputy director is a busy job. Managing the store, checking the inventory, personnel management, bookkeeping, dealing with sales disputes, and even dealing with mutiny.”

Despite the fact that it was a tinderbox situation, Lortel continued to speak with a relaxed tone.

“So… you’re also on Dune’s side, Lienna?”

Behind Dune stood a nervous girl.

Lortel’s secretary, Lienna Clemson, was even there. The way she stood behind Dune, holding onto a bunch of documents… She was the same timid girl she always had been.

“This isn’t a rational decision.”

“I’m not sure about that. We’ll just have to see.”

Dune looked down at the floor with his feet slightly apart and his hands on his knees.

Lortel also frowned at his appearance, which was much different than his usual tame appearance.

Knowing how to show a frivolous appearance was also a quality of a merchant. At the very least, Dune was a natural born talent.

However, compared to what he usually looked like… It would be hard to recognize unless you were an employee of the store.

“Being in Silvenia with the beautiful scenery and overflowing romance for such a long time… It seems that you’ve lost a lot of your malice.”

Dune continued to speak respectfully towards Lortel, even though the situation was so severe. In the first place, he was always that kind of person.

“Maybe the situation in Oldek was so urgent… because you trusted me so easily.”

“Trusted? Me, to you?”

Lortel spoke with an incredulous expression on her face.

“I don’t trust anyone. Why would it be any different if it was you?”

“……”

“I’ve been working with you for quite some time… Did you think I didn’t know of the sword you’ve been hiding inside? Stealing a few coins from the ledger, buying alcohol, and some luxuries… Do you think I look like a pushover because I let you do that?”

Thunk, Thunk

While Lortel was speaking, a bustling noise could be heard from all over. Although it was still break, there were only a few days left until school started up. Either way, it was still supposed to be off-season.

Yet seeing the bustling atmosphere in the store, Lortel could easily infer why they were so busy.

“Do you think I kept evidence of your embezzlement inside the store? It’s only common sense to take it and hide it elsewhere.”

“……”

“I told you, I don’t trust anyone.”

Dune, who was listening quietly, moved his leather shoes across the wooden floor as he answered.

“Well, I did instruct them to search inside the store as much as possible… But I never really expected to find evidence of that, either. There is no need for that in the first place.”

“What?”

“What’s the point of beating around the bush like this? However, I will say this. It would be better for you to step down from the position of deputy director.”

Lortel tried to hide her confused expression. There was nothing good about looking weak in the present situation.

However, Dune was hiding his inner plans as much as he could.

Why did he suddenly betray Lortel? What did he think would happen by doing such a thing? How was he specifically planning to put Lortel in a tough spot?

Not even the smallest of clues were revealed. Dune was well aware of how clever the fox named Lortel was.

Even with the slightest bit of evidence, she would infer the entire picture in an instant.

So, he shouldn’t give her any clues. Before she noticed anything strange, he had to tie her up and keep her quiet.

That was what Dune had thought. But from the present situation alone, she was already able to figure out the basic information.

There is someone behind him.

Lortel thought to herself.

Lortel, who did not believe in people, treated people based on the premise of ‘mutual benefit’.

Regardless of what people thought, Lortel was the most powerful person within the Elte Company. So, it was purely beneficial to be on Lortel’s side.

Trust could only be established in a relationship where there was mutual benefit.

Since Dune fully understood that concept, there was no reason to betray Lortel.

However, seeing as he stabbed Lortel in the back without any warning… it must have been because there was some sort of external variable happening behind the scenes.

Not only that, but his shocking actions—suddenly tying up and imprisoning Lortel…

That… It was proof that time was on Dune’s side.

He had some sort of certainty that if he could capture Lortel somehow and make it so she couldn’t do anything, then Lortel would naturally be removed from her position as deputy director.

A situation where something was happening outside, so all he had to do was wait. Until his plan was finished, all he had to do was lock up Lortel and make sure to remove all possible variables.

Lortel quickly inferred as much. She was able to think about all of that in the brief moment she closed and opened her eyes.

The first thing she needed to do was to break free and escape. She needed to quickly figure out what change was happening on Acken Island, centered around Dune while Lortel was away from her seat in the store.

“You’ve put yourself in a corner, Dune. Don’t you think that people would find it strange that I am currently not in my seat?”

“You don’t have to worry about your attendance in school. The same goes for worrying about the employees of the store as well. I’ve come up with all sorts of means already, so they won’t worry about you being absent. It wouldn’t be good to complicate things any further.”

“Well, I’m not sure. I think it would be better if things got even more complicated.”

“Well, considering the difference in our positions, that makes sense.”

Dune spoke with his head raised. His usual frivolous appearance could hardly be seen.

“We have taken steps to prevent such a thing from happening. Everyone around you has either joined my side, or we took the necessary measures so they wouldn’t find it strange if you disappeared.”

“It seems like a plan you have been preparing for quite some time.”

“I will leave it to your imagination.”

Lortel strengthened her arms to break free, but the tightly tied rope didn’t show any signs of breaking.

She looked around for something to break the rope with, but nothing caught her eye.

“Didn’t you already say that you don’t trust anyone? So, who would risk their life to come and save you? We don’t want to harm you any further, either. So, how about you quietly sit there and wait or retire?”

“Pretending to be gentle. Despicable traitors are always the same.”

“It’s strange hearing that from you.”

Lortel had previously betrayed Elte, taking her position as deputy director.

She didn’t have the right to criticize Dune, as she was a traitor herself.

She was a person who had already fallen into the cycle of betrayal. Though, she was well aware of that fact. Lortel smirked.

“I see that you never lose your composure.”

“I somewhat expected this, so I can stay rather calm. Originally, the world of merchants was twisted, so there’s no way that others will always do what you intend.”

“I’m not sure about that. It seems to me that you still trust in something.”

Lortel never lost her sense of reason, even when it came to such extreme situations.

Lortel Kehelland was someone who maintained her reason and consistently made rational decisions in any situation.

Since Dune was Lortel’s closest assistant, it was impossible for him to not know that fact.

Lortel was much sharper than those old foxes in Oldek. She was like a snake.

To deceive her, it wouldn’t be enough to prepare for just a few days or even a few months. It would require at least a few years to sharpen your blade of betrayal to reach a level where you could barely scratch her.

And the first thing to do was to destroy her immovable sense of reason.

That mentality where she could always maintain composure and never wavered in any crisis. It was the number one reason she was able to become a wealthy merchant. If you couldn’t deal with that part of her… you would never have the edge when confronting Lortel.

That was why Dune had analyzed Lortel as a person more cold-heartedly than anyone else.

He found out that in the heart of Lortel, who was like a demon who sold her soul for gold coins, there was still a bit of humanity left.

“You said that you do not trust anyone.”

Dune continued speaking quietly.

“But that isn’t the case.”

“…What?”

“Lienna.”

As Dune called Secretary Lienna’s name softly, she pulled out a piece of paper from the stack of papers she was holding.

Looking at the paper, it was a contract. There wasn’t much listed on it, but seeing the format, it was definitely a contract.

Lienna, who had placed the contract on the table, went back behind Dune as she stood far away again.

“This…?”

“Ed Rothstaylor.”

Hearing that name come from Dune’s mouth, Lortel’s pupils trembled slightly.

“Did you think he wouldn’t join us?”

“What…?”

Dune was a human born with a gift for negotiation and compromise.

He could always create a win-win situation for both parties by judging what the other side really wanted.

As a person who had repeated such deeds thousands of times, he knew it well.

Negotiations and compromises started with knowing the other party.

Ed Rothstaylor was not an easy person to bring over.

He was strong willed, stubborn in his thoughts, incredible at understanding, and… he possessed physical strength.

Since he had a good relationship with Lortel, no matter how Dune thought of it, it would be difficult to persuade him to betray her.

However, in the end, negotiation and compromise depended on what the other party wanted.

Lortel Kehelland glanced at the papers handed to her by Secretary Lienna. Her hands were trembling slightly.

[The following agreement is based on the establishment of trading inside information and the cooperative relationship between Dune Grex of the Elte Company and Ed Rothstaylor.

1. In regard to the accusations of internal corruption from the current deputy director of the Elte Company, Lortel Kehelland, against Dune Grex: Ed Rothstaylor is to agree to release all information that Dune Grex requests.

2. Dune Grex guarantees full support for tuition, living expenses, and other expenses that Ed Rothstaylor will receive until graduating from Silvenia.

3. In addition, Dune Grex will actively support all necessary funds and arrangements for Ed Rothstaylor’s ‘early graduation’.

4. Dune Grex will actively pay for Ed Rothstaylor’s settlement funds and necessary facilities after graduation.

5. Ed Rothstaylor will officially become an employee of the Elte Company and maintain this status for at least five years after graduation.

6. Ed Rothstaylor must attend dinners, meetings, and talks with friendly and influential people of the Elte Company and must maintain friendly relations with them.]

It was a document that seems to describe Dune’s and Ed’s close relationship.

Lortel’s pupils trembled for an instant, but she quickly regained her composure. She quickly read through the terms, analyzing them.

Dune Grex had the ability to fully analyze people.

After thoroughly analyzing Ed Rothstaylor by gathering information about him, he came up with the terms based on what he really wanted.

Ed Rothstaylor’s primary interests were his graduation and growth.

As if he was putting a major emphasis on his graduation, everything he did was done with his graduation in mind.

It felt as if graduating from Silvenia was going to be a major turning point in his life.

It would have been difficult for Ed to refuse the offer of an ‘Early Graduation’.

Not only that, but he was also being provided with all the necessary funds to settle down after graduation. Actually, the financial side was not that important. Even Lortel was willing to give him that much support.

The question was, how was Dune supposed to guarantee something like early graduation?

It was Silvenia Academy’s right to decide whether or not a student should graduate, not an employee of the Elte Company.

Is there a mole within Silvenia…?

That seemed strange as well. Silvenia Academy’s headmaster, Obel Forsyth, would definitely stop that type of thing from taking place.

In the first place, the Elte Company and Silvenia Academy were not on the same side. Even if they somehow managed to negotiate on something… it was too risky to completely turn Lortel into their enemy.

In addition, the items in the agreement… they were too biased towards the individual Ed Rothstaylor.

Dune Grex and Ed Rothstaylor have no connection at all.

There was no reason to tie Ed to the Elte Company for five years after graduation, and there was no reason to make him a friendly strength on his side. Dune’s primary goal was money, not power.

Suspicious…

After reading that far, Lortel smiled leisurely.

“This is a rather arrogant agreement. Do you think there is anyone in the world who would sign this?”

“It has already been agreed upon.”

“…What?”

Dune didn’t say any more. He just stared back at Lortel.

Lortel Kehelland looked perplexed. There was no need to explain just what it meant for her to show her emotions like that.

She was someone who kept her composure even when the school was being destroyed.

Although she wasn’t someone who should be shaken by such a thing, Lortel’s eyes were trembling greatly.

Then, as she slowly turned the proposal to the next page, her eye caught Ed’s large signature.

In that movement, she forgot to breathe.

Occasionally, Elte Kehelland’s words appeared in her dreams, and they crawled down her spine.

“Taking your seat through betrayal, in the end betrayal will end you.”

“When you lose everything and are thrown into the gutter with no chance of ever coming back, do you think there would still be a person reaching out to you?”

Those words echoed in her ears as if her chest had been pierced with a cold dagger.

“It’s pretty decent.”

It was a forged document.

Though, it was difficult to come to that conclusion.

“He is currently in this building.”

Dune replied casually.

Lortel was momentarily speechless at Dune’s response.

As for what to say next, she was dizzy, and she couldn’t think straight.

It was rare to see Lortel lose her composure. When it came to business, she was always as rational and realistic as a fox.

However, just by looking at her eyes, you could tell her mind was wandering… Lortel had to clench her molars tightly.

Creak.

At that moment, Ed Rothstaylor came in through the door.

A tall, blond nobleman… he walked into the office quietly as he handed over some documents to Secretary Lienna.

It was the Elte Company employee manual and various contracts for employment.

“E-Ed…?”

His expression didn’t change.

Ed Rothstaylor looked at Lortel… as expressionless as always.

He was wearing a small cloak. On the outside of his light brown cloak, there was a small design that represented the employees of the Elte Company.

He had already become an employee of the Elte Company.

Maintaining composure in any situation and observing.

Breaking apart Lortel’s terrifyingly cold-hearted sense of reason…

It was no easy task.

However, Ed Rothstaylor casually stood behind Dune, accepting some documents… Lortel could see it all.

He then looked at Lortel with a sullen face as he spoke.

“It just happened to be like this.”

The nightmare of Elte Kehelland, whose face twisted bizarrely as he cursed at Lortel.

The dream that always returned to Lortel, as if engraved whenever she forgot.

When she ends up in the gutter, there won’t be anyone to reach out their hand to her.

Those words that were like a curse… kept playing in her ears.

* * *

“Once you go back to the dormitory, do it like I told you!”

After talking with the secretary of the Elte Company that had suddenly come by, Ed Rothstaylor sent Ayla back to the dormitory.

“It’s so sudden, I don’t know what is happening…”

The Honors Student Dormitory, Lorail Hall.

Ayla held onto a simple writing tool and paper as she passed through the neatly cleaned hallways.

Even though she took a lot of notes in class, it had been a long time since she wrote a letter. So, Ayla felt a bit strange.

“Hmm…”

The conversation between the Elte Company and Ed Rothstaylor was definitely strange, but there was much more that Ayla didn’t understand.

“……”

“Ed, what are you so worried about?”

However, after the conversation with the Elte Company employee, the image of Ed Rothstaylor sitting quietly at the cafe table, scratching his chin and lost in thought… It remained in her head.

“I’m figuring out the situation.”

It was the first time she had seen Ed so serious, so she was a bit perplexed